Ciarán Cuffe, the Green Party’s MEP for Dublin has called for An Bord Pleanála to ensure improvements are made in a plan for several hundred new apartments at the Heuston South Quarter Development in Kilmainham. He has accused the developers of adopting a sub-standard “cookie cutter” approach in their designs.The “Heuston South Quarter” Strategic Housing Development, consisting of 399 units, is to be located next to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The planning application is currently under consideration by An Bord Pleanála. Though welcoming the new development, Cuffe’s submission calls for the provision of more balconies, storage space, and communal areas.In particular, Cuffe notes the need for new housing developments to account for how Covid-19 has affected urban lifestyles.“Any type of outdoor space, even if it is a small little terrace, is more important than it was 18 months ago.”Commenting on his submission, Cuffe said,There’s an urgent need to recognise that high quality apartment living is possible. Ireland’s changing demographics are forcing us to move beyond the old model of three bed detached houses sprawling out from the city. This move to denser living has the potential to generate thriving urban communities. But there can be no public support for a transition to urban living if apartments continue to be seen as a second rate form of accommodation. That’s why it’s imperative for us to set high standards for developments such as this one. The basic human needs that a home can provide – safety, space, light, community – they all need to be considered.NOTE:More details about the HSQ development can be found here: https://heustonsouthquartershd.ie/